Archive for the ‘Travel Nursing Job Tips’ Category

In our last blog post, we discussed a recent Healthcare Traveler article about the state of the travel health care industry and the how that landscape looked for travel RN nursing jobs. We got a lot of positive feedback, so we thought we’d use this blog post to spend some time discussing what travel nurses should do to make sure that their 2010 is a successful one.

Remember that while the overall number of travel RN nursing jobs is expected to grow this year, staying flexible and open to new experiences is also recommended. The economy is showing some signs of recovery, but the overall process may take awhile. Until then, those looking for travel RN nursing jobs should remain flexible with regards to their location and their contract length.

The most successful travel nurses will be the ones who stay prepared. The best travel RN nursing jobs will go to those who have their paperwork in order. That means keeping up on immunizations and certifications is key.

Start your search for new travel RN nursing positions early. It’s not too soon to start looking for a new position 6 weeks or so before your current position ends. That will help your medical staffing agency find the travel RN nursing jobs that are the best fit for you.

Expect competition for the best travel RN nursing jobs to remain high. How to get a leg up on the competition? Take the time to have a great resume prepared, and take the opportunity to learn as many new skills as you can.

Most health care experts expect the industry to grow in 2010, so the most important thing is to not get discouraged. Everything that has made travel RN nursing jobs so popular–the great pay, the opportunity to meet new people in new places, and the chance to learn new things–are still there. And there is still a nationwide shortage of nurses. That means that travel RN nursing jobs remain some of the best opportunities, even in a tough economy.

As we’ve already discussed on this blog, Travel nursing jobs carry with them a lot of benefits. Whether you’re spending the cold winters in South Florida or beautiful falls in New England, travel nursing jobs give you the chance to experience a wealth of new places and the opportunity to meet new people. But for many RNs on their first travel nursing jobs, there can be some anxious feelings. Here are some key things to remember and some crucial things to avoid if you’re about to embark one of your first travel nursing jobs.

DO

Be sure to introduce yourself to your unit secretary as soon as you can. Most of the time, they’ll be almost as important as your floor manager. The unit secretary will be able to tell you where everything is located.

Be as helpful as possible. Just about everyone who embarks on travel nursing jobs is naturally helpful, but it couldn’t hurt to be even more helpful than usual. If you have a spare moment, assist a fellow nurse with a task. That will help make you a trusted member of the team.

Show up with a positive attitude. Anxiety can arise with new experiences, even for those who have held many travel nursing jobs. So remember that you’ll enjoy your new assignment. Travel nursing jobs can be many things, but they’re rarely boring. Enjoy the excitement.

DON’T

Be withdrawn. You don’t have to make friends with everyone, but keeping yourself open and welcoming will help ensure that your current assignment on travel nursing jobs will be a great one.

Discard the rules. There are as many different rules as there are hospitals and clinics. And those with travel nursing jobs should try their hardest to learn them all. Remember to act accordingly.

Take certain things too personally. While on travel nursing jobs, some people on staff may forget your name. Some may even call you by the wrong name. Just remember that many on the staff may see a steady stream of travel nurses come and go. Instead of getting annoyed, try to make a joke and remember that it’s no big deal.

Starting in a new location whether as a job transfer or a travel nurse can be daunting; however, knowing that you will be working with other professionals who are available to refer you to credible and affordable services.

Since travel nurses have the option of staying in medical staffing housing, you won’t need to worry about home maintenance repairs. While you may need to find a beauty salon or barber, auto repair shop and affordable grocery stores, the same people you work with will be your greatest resource.

Other places to find information about local businesses can be found on Angie’s List and Yelp, which provides reviews and ratings by consumers. Almost every town also has a travel bureau such as AAA or a chamber of commerce, which have plentiful of resources and recommendations for retail stores and services.

If you’re an experienced travel nurse, then you know that travel nursing jobsrequire a certain amount of flexibility. For many travel nurses, working in fast-paced environments where things change quickly is part of the thrill of travel nursing jobs. But even for experienced travel nurses, getting sick before new assignments and travel nursing jobs can be difficult to handle. There’s always an adjustment period for people on new travel nursing jobs, and it’s typically one of the most difficult periods of the travel position. Nurses know that getting sick is simply part of being in the health care profession, but there are things that those with travel nursing jobs can do steel themselves against getting ill at the beginning of a new assignment. Here are 5 tips that will help travel nurses prepare themselves for a new position.

In the weeks before new travel nursing jobs and assignments, make sure that you’re ready. That means packing things ahead of time to assure that you’re not rushing around at the last minute, trying to get to your new travel nursing jobs and positions.

Be sure that you keep doing other things you do regularly. That means stay on an exercise schedule, if you’re on one. But don’t exert yourself too much. It you’re feeling tired, then get adequate rest.

Remember to wash your hands frequently. This may sound like a no-brainer, but it can be easy to forget when nurses are still getting used to new travel nursing jobs.

Be sure to remember any prescription medication you require. And be sure to keep any extras you think you may need.

And just in case, remember to always have a list of your emergency contacts on hand.

The holiday season can be both the best of times for those with travel nursing jobs, and it can be the worst of times for those with travel nursing jobs. A lot of travel nurses seek out assignments that are either close to their friends and families so they can spend the Thanksgiving season with people they are close to.

But when the economy’s tough, that option isn’t always available for those with travel nursing jobs. This year, it looks like many travel nurses will be spending the holidays far from their friends and family. It can be tough. So here are a few tips if you’ll be facing Thanksgiving Day alone.

Try to stick with some of your Thanksgiving traditions—If you’re on a travel nursing jobs assignment where you have to work on Thanksgiving Day, that may help you cope with being away from your family. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have your own personal Thanksgiving celebration. It’s possible to buy smaller turkeys, and you can cook one or two side dishes for yourself. If you always catch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, be sure not to miss it. TiVO or tape it if you have to work.

Pamper yourself—If you don’t like the idea of eating Thanksgiving dinner alone, then don’t. Simply make it a normal meal that night and pamper yourself in other ways. Take a long bath. Or rent a lot of movies. Make it a special day to do something that you’ve been meaning to do for a long time.

Volunteer—No matter where your travel nursing jobs take you, there are likely to be a soup kitchen nearby that need someone to help serve food. This is also true for the weekend after Thanksgiving, where the kitchen may find itself short-staffed. Most people with travel nursing jobs get a charge from helping others. So volunteering is a great solution for those who find themselves with little to do on Thanksgiving.

Call home, or don’t—Calling home and checking in with friends and family may make those with far away travel nursing jobs feel a little bit better. But for some with travel nursing jobs, it may only accentuate the distance between them and their family. Think about what the effect of calling home will have on you. And don’t feel bad if you decide not to call home. Your friends and family should be able to understand.